Near Panguitch in Garfield County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Red Canyon Tunnels

Gateway to Natural Wonders

Photographed by James Hulse, April 6, 2025

1. Red Canyon Tunnels Marker

Inscription.

Red Canyon Tunnels. Gateway to Natural Wonders. , A New Park's Magical Opening , "One little fairy hopped upon the running board and asked Governor Dern if he believed in fairies. 'Yes,' he said. 'Then,' said she, 'enter into Fairyland." - From Golden Nuggets of Pioneer Days, Daughters of Utah Pioneers, 1949, On June 1, 1925, a 315-car caravan, led by Governor George Dean, arrived at the Red Canyon tunnels to celebrate the opening of Utah National Park (later renamed Bryce Canyon National Park). A flower-strewn gate closed the entrance to the second tunnel, and a banner proclaimed "Welcome to Utah's Fairyland." Children dressed as fairies tied flowers and long ribbons to the bumper of the governor's car. When the governor pronounced his belief in fairies, two young elves opened the gates while a band, perched atop the tunnel, began to play. Dancing fairies pulled on the streamers (and men pushed from behind) to draw the car through the tunnel. Ever since that momentous celebration, the Red Canyon tunnels have served as a magical entrance to Red and Bryce Canyons., Building the Tunnels , "We came upon what I have always considered the most beautiful piece of natural scenery on the face of the earth. ...Immediately upon my return to Panguitch, I began to make it possible to reach the canyon by automobile." , -W.J. Humphrey, Powell National Forest Supervisor, recollecting his first visit to Bryce Canyon circa 1915. Though it took nearly a decade of effort, Humphrey realized his dream of a road through Red Canyon., Rusted Rocks , The bright formations of Red Canyon are largely limestone, built from sediment of a lake that covered this region 35-50 million years ago. The pink, orange, and red tones come from oxidized iron in the limestone - in other words, rust. Color hues depend on the amount of iron in the rock., Credits , (Diagram #1) Rabbitbush (Ericameria bloomeri) , (Photo #1) Utah State Historical Society , (Photo #2) Sherratt Library, Southern Utah University , (Photo #3) Sherratt Library, Southern Utah University , (Photo #4) Sherratt Library, Southern Utah University

A New Park's Magical Opening
"One little fairy hopped upon the running board and asked Governor Dern if he believed in fairies. 'Yes,' he said. 'Then,' said she, 'enter into Fairyland." - From Golden Nuggets of Pioneer Days, Daughters of Utah Pioneers, 1949

On June 1, 1925, a 315-car caravan, led by Governor George Dean, arrived at the Red Canyon tunnels to celebrate the opening of Utah National Park (later renamed Bryce Canyon National Park). A flower-strewn gate closed the entrance to the second tunnel, and a banner proclaimed "Welcome to Utah's Fairyland." Children dressed as fairies tied flowers and long ribbons to the bumper of the governor's car. When the governor pronounced his belief in fairies, two young elves opened the gates while a band, perched atop the tunnel, began to play. Dancing fairies pulled on the streamers (and men pushed from behind) to draw the car through the tunnel. Ever since that momentous celebration, the Red Canyon tunnels have served as a magical entrance to Red and Bryce Canyons.

Building the Tunnels
"We came upon what I have always considered the most beautiful piece of natural scenery on the face of the earth. ...Immediately upon my return to Panguitch, I began to make it possible to reach the canyon by automobile."
-W.J. Humphrey, Powell

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National Forest Supervisor, recollecting his first visit to Bryce Canyon circa 1915. Though it took nearly a decade of effort, Humphrey realized his dream of a road through Red Canyon.

Rusted Rocks
The bright formations of Red Canyon are largely limestone, built from sediment of a lake that covered this region 35-50 million years ago. The pink, orange, and red tones come from oxidized iron in the limestone - in other words, rust. Color hues depend on the amount of iron in the rock.

Credits
(Diagram #1) Rabbitbush (Ericameria bloomeri)
(Photo #1) Utah State Historical Society
(Photo #2) Sherratt Library, Southern Utah University
(Photo #3) Sherratt Library, Southern Utah University
(Photo #4) Sherratt Library, Southern Utah University

Erected by Scenic Byway 12; Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Horticulture & Forestry • Paleontology • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical date for this entry is June 1, 1925.

Location. 37° 44.417′ N, 112° 17.791′ W. Marker is near Panguitch, Utah, in Garfield County. It is on State Road 12 4.8 miles east of U.S. 89, on the left when

Photographed by James Hulse, April 6, 2025

2. Red Canyon Tunnels Marker

traveling east. The marker is located along the highway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Panguitch UT 84759, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Canyon Country

and specifically in Color Country. It is also in the American Mountain West,

in Colorado Plateau,

and at the Four Corners.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Butch Cassidy (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Red Canyon Tunnels (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Red Canyon Tunnels (approx. 0.2 miles away); Podunk Guard Station (approx. 1.2 miles away); American Original (approx. 7.6 miles away); Bryce Airport (approx. 7.6 miles away); Tragedy and Triumph (approx. 7.6 miles away); Historic Tropic Ditch (approx. 9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Panguitch.

More about this marker. There are duplicates of the marker along the highway on both sides of the tunnels.

The view of the Red Canyon Tunnel and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, April 6, 2025

3. The view of the Red Canyon Tunnel and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 13, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 350 times since then and 5 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 13, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.